二重(ふたえ)まぶた

Composed of 二重(ふたえ) (double layer, two-fold) and まぶた (eyelid). Describes an eyelid with a distinct crease above the lash line. Note that 二重(ふたえ) in this word is read ふたえ — not にじゅう, which would be the more general reading of the same kanji.

Usage

• Used attributively (二重(ふたえ)まぶたの目(め) "eyes with double eyelids") and as a predicate (彼女(かのじょ)は二重(ふたえ)まぶただ "She has double eyelids").
• In casual conversation, many speakers drop まぶた and just say 二重(ふたえ): きれいな二重(ふたえ) (beautiful double eyelids).
• Commonly paired with its opposite 一重(ひとえ)まぶた (single eyelid).
• An unusual in-between category is 奥二重(おくぶたえ) — a crease that is partly hidden behind the upper lid.

Cultural note

Double eyelids are considered a desirable feature in mainstream Japanese beauty culture, and the industry around creating them is enormous: drugstore products like アイプチ (eyelid glue) and アイテープ (eyelid tape), as well as surgical procedures known as 二重(ふたえ)整形(せいけい), are widely advertised. Many adults describe fluctuating eyelid shape — especially having 二重(ふたえ) on swollen mornings or after sleeping poorly.

Common collocations

• 二重(ふたえ)まぶたにする: to give oneself double eyelids (via makeup or surgery)
• 二重(ふたえ)まぶたになる: to become double (naturally or otherwise)
• 二重(ふたえ)まぶたの線(せん): the crease line of a double eyelid
• 自然(しぜん)な二重(ふたえ)まぶた: natural-looking double eyelids
• 二重(ふたえ)まぶたの整形(せいけい): double-eyelid cosmetic surgery

Similar words

• 一重(ひとえ)まぶた: single eyelid — the opposite shape, without a crease
• 奥二重(おくぶたえ): hidden double eyelid — a crease that is mostly concealed
• まぶた: eyelid — the base noun
• アイプチ: eyelid glue — a drugstore product used to create a temporary double eyelid
• 二重(ふたえ)整形(せいけい): double-eyelid surgery — the cosmetic procedure